We are a group of veterans dedicated to preserving the memory of the Cold War. Asking for recognition for the "Cold Warriors", so long forgotten. We are also reaching out to all our brother and sister veterans. We are asking Congress to authorize a Cold War Victory Medal to all who served honorably during the Cold War, from 1945 to 1991

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Cold War

Most people tend to forget (or forget on purpose) about the Cold War. People believe it was a "time of peace".Many seem to ignore the fact that it was a time of great stress and fear. Those who are old enough mayremember fall out shelters, drop and cover(a rather useless attempt to ease the fears of everyone).

It was the US and our Allies against the Soviets and the Soviet bloc. The Soviets wanted to expand theirsphere of influence, while our side tried to stop the spread of Communism. Each side insisted that "the enemy"must capitulate.

This led to many stand-offs, the rapid build up of military forces; and of course Nuclear Weapons. Thoughweapons of assured mutual mass destruction, the world teetered on the brink of "Nuclear Winter". Neither sidewanted to use them, but were fearful of the other side making a first strike.

Through all this, our military stood ready and armed at all times. There was of course loss of lives as our planeswere shot down by enemy forces. Our ships were attacked and in one case the USS Pueblo(AGER 2), captured, and still held captive by North Korea.The USS Scorpion (SSN-589) sank with 99 hands aboard, under still suspicious circumstances.

There was the Congo, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Berlin, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Granada, andscores of other instances of potential all out war. We stood toe to toe with the enemy and hoped never tohear the words "the balloon went up"; which would have meant the end of all we held near and dear.

And as of today there is still no authorized medal or award authorized to honor those who served duringthe America's Longest War. The time has come and gone for these brave men and women to be recognized.

This could be the year of change. Right now there are bills in both houses of Congress that would authorize aCold War Service Medal to all who served in the military from Sept. 1945 to Dec. 1991.

Please contact both of your Senators ask them cosponsor S. 2743 The Cold War Service Medal Act 2009and urge them to have it included in the National Defense Authorization Act 2011.

In the House of Representatives are a couple of bills of great interest to "Cold Warriors". Ask your Congressman/Congresswoman to cosponsor H.R. 4051 The Cold War Service Medal Act 2009, and besure it gets included in the NDAA 2011.

Another bill, H.RES. 900 would designate May 1 as Cold War Veterans Recognition Day. Ask your Representative to become a cosponsor of this bill also. This would be an easy and no cost way to honorour veterans.

The Cold War ended in 1991, nineteen years is a long time to wait. Let this year be the year that ourcountry finally says Thank You to our veterans, many of these men and women served their tours andnever received any type of medal or award. Change this unequal treatment of veterans. We as a nationshould show our gratitude now and forever.

Asbestos and the U.S. Navy Cancer risk

Cold War-era Veterans may potentially develop mesothelioma due to the use and presence of asbestos in military applications. Navy vessels posed a high risk prior to the 1970s while military facilities utilized throughout that period also contained high quantities of the mineral. Cold War veterans with mesothelioma symptoms should seek professional medical help to obtain a diagnosis and seek treatment for mesothelioma as soon as possible.